All Class at the Mercedez

Finally I got the chance to watch a 'live' Arsenal performance during this pre-season when they registered a 3-1 win at the Mercedez Benz Arena against a VfB Stuttgart side fielding former Gunner goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann in their starting line-up.

A few 'big' names made their return to the Arsenal line-up though I have mixed feelings seeing Manu 'Add-No-Buyer' in the new away kit. Though the feeling was the complete opposite when it comes to Robin Van Persie who I really hope to be able to stay injury free and realise his tremendous potential.

Despite having seen him play before for France, this was the first time I saw Samir Nasri playing in the colours of Arsenal and despite not setting the stadium alight, he showed enough for me to keep looking for more when the real business starts in earnest.

Lehmann certainly did not show any generousity towards his former colleagues, pulling several saves which any goalkeeper would be proud off. However he could do nothing when Arsenal stepped up a gear after falling behind to a Yildiray Basturk goal just six minutes into the second half.

Carlos Vela could be another gem discovered by Arsenal Wenger and his cool finish after shaking off the burly Khaled Boulahrouj and beating Lehmann certainly showed big potential of the young Mexican.

With Nicklas Bendtner continued his fine scoring form with another efficient performance and a sharp finish to put Arsenal into the lead, I really hope Arsene will give the Danish youngster the opportunity to cement his place in the line-up.

A crisp finish by 16 years old Jack Wilshere underlined what Wenger has seen in the youngster, who by being included in this pre-season tour indicated that he could see competitive first team action sooner than his peers. Hopefully he would keep his head firmly on the ground and would not go looking for grandmas in the future.

For the time being there is no indication that the Emirates Cup will be shown on the satellite TV provider here in Malaysia. Last year they did and it was the same for the Armsterdam Tournament. Hopefully this year they will too.

By the way, Chelski dropped by to play against the Malaysian National team and they won 2-0. The goals were scored by two former Gunners in Abdul Bilal Salam a.k.a Nicolas Anelka and by the left-back before Gael Glichy.

It was the second goal scored by the Frenchman, who notched his first during Arsenal visit to Malaysia on 19 May, 1999. The only time that I ever saw the Gunners in action right in front of my own eyes.

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Three Gooners in the News

Arsenal continue with their training in Austria with a match against a Burgenland Selection on Monday. Interestingly, from the photos taken by the club photographer Manu Adebayor has joined his team-mates in training and presumably already had handed down his 'ultimatum' to Arsene Wenger (note the word presumably).

Obviously Arsene still rate him though he could take a chance on Nicklas Bendtner who stated that he really would like to improve on three fronts - goals, games and silverware. I could not see no harm in agreeing with the big Dane since I already penned him in my fantasy football first eleven.

I really believe that Bendtner would improve more if he is given the chance to start in more matches this season. A decent return of 9 goals from 17 start and 23 substitute appearances last season certainly had me thinking that he would be better this season if given the chance. For me there are not a lot to choose between him and the Togolese though I believe Bendtner possess better first touch and a bit pacier than his team-mate.

Another player who I believe would be an asset to Arsenal is Samir Nasri who is ready to play across the middle for Arsene. With his ability to play on either flanks and also the middle, Arsene will have the choice to tinker with his formation even though the French youngster stated that who would be deployed on the wings with the license to come in a-la Thierry Henry. Hopefully he will find the net frequently a-la Thierry too.

Now, that would be the talk of the season, wouldn't it?

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A Bit of Prediction - Starters for the Coming Season

It is indeed very interesting to predict on how the coming season will turn out for us Gooners. I would not go into predicting of who is going to win what but rather how the new season going to turn out for some of the Arsenal players.

Perhaps it is pretty obvious that I like Lukasz Fabianski and would like to see him between the sticks for Arsenal. The boy certainly has the confidence despite conceding five down the road last season. But his displays in the last few matches last season were certainly enough to convince Arsene Wenger not to shop for a new goalkeeper.

The Polish stopper would warm the bench again this season with Manual Almunia is keen to show he is worth wearing the number one on the back of his kit. But do not be surprise if Fabianski would be given his chance if the Spaniard drops a few clangers the way Jens Lehmann did last season.

Defensively, there are a lot of uncertainties in regard of who would partner who in the middle and most importantly, who would protect them in midfield to ensure the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky are free to go forward without having to worry too much about what's happening at the back.

With Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy are set to be the first choice full-backs this season it would be interesting to see whether Arsene is going to stick with the Kolo Toure and William Gallas partnership. While I do not that much problem with Kolo, I am having a bit of a doubt with Gallas.

We have a number of players who can slot into the central position but we certainly do miss someone who has the towering presence to deal with high ball pumped into our half, such as the one that we conceded against Liverpool when Peter Crouch won an aerial duel to set up Dick Kuyt with the chance.

Unless Arsene brings in someone who meet the criteria I would be forever biting my nails whenever we face teams which possess physical forwards such as Chelski with Dogba and Portsmouth with Crouchie.

With Fabregas is expected to be running the show, many Gooners will be particularly curious to see whom Arsene going to partner the Spaniard with. Remember, prior to last season almost nobody would have thought the departed Matt Flamini would become the almost perfect defensive foil for Cesc.

So, there are a long list of names that Arsene could choose from. My favourite would be Abou Diaby if he can step up his awareness to the surrounding as he has the tendency to be robbed off the ball by opponents coming from the back. He also has weighed in with a number of wonderfully taken goals such as against Derby County and Liverpool last season.

Others would be Denilson if he can be more physical in his approach but the dark horse for me would be Alex Song who displayed a quite competent performance in defence during the last few matches last season. His passing has improved and certainly looked comfortable in the air as well.

As for the foward line, in the wake of his protracted transfer saga Manu Adebayor (if he stays) would have to really step up his finishing touch. As I have stated before, with the number of chances created by the midfield he should have kept pace with Ronalfoo all the way for the topscorer award.

It is hoped that Robin Van Persie would have better luck injury wise and if he is, I believe Arsene would partner him with the Togolese. My preference would be Nicklas Bendtner to partner Van Persie as it is time that he proves his is as good as what he said before. Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri would have to be content with attacking roles from the wings.

I really believe that more youngsters should be given the taste of the Premiership every now and then with many of them are ready to push themselves to be part of the first team this season, according to Arsene.

Any feedback guys?

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Not This Time.

The new home kit is simply a turn off.

For me an Arsenal home kit would always have white sleeves and a red body. The new one certainly reminds me of the Charlton kit from a few seasons back and also the one worn by Middlesbrough.

Furthermore, taking away the badge and the sponsor's logo, we could have an ordinary shirt that are sported by many teams all over the world. With the white sleeves, the first thing that most likely will come to a football fan's mind is Arsenal.

In this time of crass commercialisation, the manufacturer simply decided to do away with traditions. What else could explain the white away kit from last season. Promoting it as a commemorative to the great Herbert Chapman, it was something that would make him turn in his grave.

I have bought quite a number of Arsenal kits over the years, since they were made available to us overseas supporters. The first one that I bought was for the 1994-95 season at a cost of RM165. It was the first kit by nike after Arsenal decided to move from Adidas.

The last kit I bought was the home kit preceding the new one at a cost of RM240. It looks like that was the last one for quite sometime, unless the rumoured yellow and dark blue away kit materialises.

Now that one, I would not mind paying for.

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Of Euro 2008 and the Togonator

It has been a while.

The EURO2008 has concluded with Spain emerging from their nearly-men tag to become champions for the first time since 1964. If interested, you could go here to find my views in regards of the competition.

It is most unfortunate that the main news these days are about how Manu Adebayor demanded his salary to match what Thierry Henry earned during his time with the Gunners. I am sure many would have agreed with me that Adebayor is no Henry, unless he could emulate his achievement last season and find the net thirty times or more in 2008-09.

But as someone commented on an Arsenal fansite, with the number of chances created by the Arsenal midfield, Adebayor should have kept pace with manures' Cristiano Ronalfoo all the way for the Golden Boot Award.

For me, he is not a finished article that entitles him to demand a hundred thousand plus pounds weekly wages. Thus, if another club like Barcelona or AC Milan would be able to cough up the dough for the Togolese, then by all means; take it.

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Lukasz's Premier League Debut on Monday?

Lukasz Fabianski is more likely to be given the starting position in Arsenal remaining matches in order to give him the necessary exposure of playing in the Premier League. This is according to the UK's Daily Mail.

If it is true then for me it is a good move by Arsene Wenger. Even though the Pole has performed well during the Carling Cup and reserve matches it is nothing better than to gain exposure by playing in the first team.

Hopefully, this piece of news will be true and I would be able to watch him keeping goal during our visit to Derby County on Monday.

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Men Between the Sticks.

It is the end of the season. Again football fans will be out in droves commenting on how to improve their teams for next season.

A bit like what I am doing now, ironically.

But I am not going to suggest any names to strengthen my beloved Arsenal for that matter as I believe Arsene Wenger has done his homework on who will be available and suitable for this purpose.

Many have called for Wenger to find another goalkeeper to replace Manuel Almunia in goal. But for me, the Spaniards performance throughout the season has convinced me that he deserved to be between the posts.

He may not be spectacular but when called upon he performs the tasks efficiently. One noticeable aspect of his game is his preference to punch the ball rather than catching it, which is a trait almost all the continental goalkeepers have.

This season his punches have improved and more often than not he cleared potential dangerous crosses before they reach opposing players.

Early in the season I have said that Almunia would only be a stop gap measure when Jens Lehmann decides to leave/retire and before Polish youngster Lukasz Fabianski takes over. It seems the Pole has to wait a bit longer but having somebody like him would definitely keep Almunia on his toes to ensure he will remain Wenger's number one.

I definitely do not see Lehmann staying beyond this season and most likely the German will retire after the EURO 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. Of course I would like to see him keeping goal for Germany in their quest for glory in the Alps nations in June.

There are so many names have been brought forward as potential transfer target for Wenger in the goalkeeping department. Among them are Robert Green(West Ham) and Chris Kirkland (Wigan), Gomez of PSV and Bolton's Jussi Jusskelanaen.

It just that I do not see any of them coming except for Jusskelanaen who would be out of contract in the summer. Now that would be the kind of signing Wenger would make.

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